History, Natural History & the Arts
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs). [Read more…] about Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the amendment of the Kildare Conservation Easement and the Five Mile Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) to include new opportunities for public access to recreation in the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas
The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that examinations are scheduled for individuals seeking to become licensed guides in New York State.
The exams being offered are for guiding in the following categories: camping; fishing; hiking; hunting; whitewater; rock climbing; ice climbing; and certified skilled with boats and canoes. [Read more…] about NYS Licensed Guides 2022 Exam Dates Set
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond To Hunters, Hiker in Distress
Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area is New York State’s largest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at 11,237 acres and lies within two counties — Schuyler and Tompkins.
A diversity of habitats, including streams and ponds, small fields, and some regenerating hardwood forests, can also be found across the property. [Read more…] about Featured Natural Area: Connecticut Hill Wildlife Area
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Lost, Ill-Prepared Hikers
After a 1627 conflict, when the Dutch sided with the Mahicans against the Mohawks, the relationship between the first settlers and the Indigenous People was relatively peaceful and cooperative.
This was due in part to the fact that the Patroon had purchased the land from them and also due to the business relationship established between local Indigenous People and the fur traders. [Read more…] about Dutch, Mohawk & Mohican Fur Trade
During the late summer and early fall, an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) led to the death of a significant number of whitetail deer in parts of New York State.
On Nov. 2, Environmental Conservation Officer Palmateer received information from a Catskill, Greene County, NY family about a youth hunter who shot a buck with bow and arrow a buck that had deformities on its hooves. The family reported that it looked like the hooves were starting to detach from the deer. [Read more…] about First Confirmed EHD Survivor Reported By DEC
Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Palmateer reported he received an anonymous tip in early October about a wounded bear seen near land conservancy property in the town of Greenville, Greene County, during opening weekend of bow season. Knowing this area is closed to hunting and not high density for bears, ECO Palmateer contacted Investigator Sulkey for help surveilling the area. [Read more…] about 9 Hunters Caught Hunting Bear Illegally In Greene County
By passing up shots on yearling bucks (1.5 years old), hunters improve their odds of seeing older-age, larger bucks in the years to come.
Though antlers can be helpful to distinguish young bucks, sometimes antlers can be misleading. Body characteristics are also very important. [Read more…] about How Old Is That Deer?